The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 11, 1994
Filed:
Mar. 13, 1992
Max Frey, Portland, OR (US);
Richard S Livermore, Oregon City, OR (US);
John M Bowie, Salem, OR (US);
McCain Foods Limited, Florenceville, CA;
Abstract
The system comprises a tank containing water and potatoes entrained therein. A food pump transports the mixture through a relatively long accelerator conduit of tapering cross-section. Some of the water from the output of this conduit is bypassed in accordance with the setting of a valve. A second conduit also has a tapering cross-section to align the potatoes. A water-operated turbine carries a disc-like cutter which is arranged in close proximity to the output of the second conduit. The cutter cuts the potato into helical lengths. Slitter blades on the cutter further cut the potato into helical strips. The turbine has a rotor which, in turn, carries a flywheel portion, the two parts being integral. Bearings press-fit on the rotor are journalled onto upstream and downstream stators in the turbine. Lubricating water is delivered to the bearing surfaces between the rotor and the stators.